- Are you ready?
- BC Ferries Walk On, Walk Off
- Proper Equipment
- Water Classification Maps, Emergency, Packing
- Location
- Environmental Links
- BC Weather, tide..
- Other
- Paddling Clubs
- Blogs/Websites
Are you ready?
We are just building this section about "Are you ready?" to go on a paddling trip. This will be updated shortly.
Some resources in the meantime:
- SKABC - Getting ready for Spring
BC Ferries Walk On, Walk Off
Welcome to the Resources section.
Walk On or Off the BC Ferries: This is an exciting new resource to utilize the BC Ferries by walking on or off with your kayak or canoe on wheels. We have a map of terminals plus information on walking on or off the BC Ferries to quickly access parts of the BC coast. Link here.
Proper Equipment
Proper Safety Equipment
Before you even decide on a trip location you will need to have proper kayak or canoe equipment to meet Transport Canada safety regulations for a human-powered boat. First of all there is your basic list of safety equipment:
- Canadian approved life jacket or personal flotation device (PFD)
- One buoyant heaving line at least 15 metres long
- One reboarding device - usually this is a paddlefloat that attaches to your paddle
- One watertight flashlight (recommended for all but required if your boat if longer than 6 m)
- Six (6) Canadian-approved flares of Type A (Rocket Parachute), B (Multi-Star) or C (Hand) if your boat is more than 6 metres in length
- One bailer or manual bilge pump
- One sound-signalling device (i.e. whistle)
- Navigation lights that meet the requirements set out in 'Collision Regulations'.
- One magnetic compass (not required on boats less than 8m in length)
- One radar reflector is required under certain conditions
- Safe Boating Guide
- Transport Canada Compliance Guide for non-pleasure human powered boats
More Equipment
- You obviously need a paddle, too. Especially if you are going to use the paddlefloat for re-entry of your boat or to move your boat forward!
- Many paddlers carry a VHF radio (you don't need a licence to carry it but to speak into it; however, in an emergency no one is going to fault you). Many paddlers also carry a cell phone (not usually waterproof) and sometimes a personal locator. One of the best is an ACR Personal locator.
- Whether you are renting or using your own kayak or canoe check it over. For example, on a rental kayak you may see a lot of wear around the footrest indicating the amount of use. Check to see it the boat is leaking or ask relevant questions.
Location
General Guide to Location
There are many places to paddle on the BC coastline. The location you choose has to match your skills and comfort level. Each area on the coast is subject to different weather, tide and current conditions. Some areas are more protected, some areas are more exposed. Generally, a novice paddler would choose more protected spots while an expert paddler might choose more exposed.
Our main map or our marine trails (see main menu) helps you find various locations.
The SKGABC has developed water classification maps for the coast that range from Class I (easiest/least risk) to Class IV (hardest, most exposed and most risk). Look at the classification map and check the 'class' of your trip. Try to match the class level to your skill/comfort level (please note the BCMTNA cannot take responsibility for your choices).
BC Weather, tide..
British Columbia Paddling Resources
Weather, Tides, Currents
- Canadian Coast Guard
- Marine Weather - Environment Canada
- BC cities and towns
- Sailflow
- Predict Wind
- Extended Forecasts for BC coast
- Synopsis for BC coast
- Marine Weather Guide - Pacific Coast (VHF radio guide)
- North American Surface Analysis
Tides, Currents
Other
Other Resources
- Parks Canada
- BC Parks
- BC Marine Parks Forever Society (Fundraising charitable society for marine parks, founded and supported by the Council of BC Yacht Clubs)
- Sea Kayak Guide Alliance of BC (SKAGBC)
- http://www.skgabc.com/resources.php (SKAGBC printable resources)
- Marine Mammal Viewing Guidelines (Fisheries and Oceans Canada)
- BC Ferries
- Kayak Forum
Paddling Clubs
British Columbia Paddling Clubs
- Campbell River Paddlers
- Comox Valley Paddlers Club
- Cowichan Kayak & Canoe Club
- Dogwood Canoe and Kayak Club
- Kelowna Canoe and Kayak Club
- Nanaimo Paddlers
- Pacific International Kayak Association
- Recreational Canoeing Association of BC
- Ridge Canoe and Kayak Club
- Sea Kayak Association of BC
- South Island Sea Kayak Association
- Victoria Canoe and Kayak Club
Blogs/Websites
There are numerous paddling blogs and websites. Our director, Nick, has listed a few below:
- Martin Ryer's Blog
- Philip Torren's Blog
- Discover Vancouver Island
- Denis Dwyer - Sea Kayaking the Inside Passage
- Jon Dawkins - 3-Meter Swell: Kayak trips in Puget Sound and the BC Coast: Klemtu to Port Hardy 2012eter Swell: Kayak trips in Puget Sound and the BC Coast: Klemtu to Port Hardy 2012
- Ron Caves - Great Bear Rainforest: Klemtu to Butedale via Princess Royal Is W coast
- Ron Caves - Klemtu 2007
- Ron Caves - Bella
- Pipedream Project 2011
- David & Pearl's Sea Kayaking Trip to Alaska - from Port Hardy, BC to Ketchikan, Alaska, 2009
- Glenn Lewis - Banks Is West Coast: a field guide for paddlers
- Glenn Lewis - West Coast Aristazabal, Price and Athlone Islands: a field guide for paddlers
- Voyage of the Pilgrims 2011 – Kayak trip from Prince Rupert to Olympia
- Gecko Paddler by Mark & Robyn Bryne
- Kayak Yak